The umbrella term "shoegazing" were some bands of the late 80's / early 90's combined, their unifying characteristics is the combination of wall-of-sound to break down guitars and otherworldly vocals could. For many groups, limited the application of this formula but the parroting of the "Psycho Candy 'Catechism', but were well off the right in the sky acclaimed My Bloody Valentine bands that earn the bye.
Slowdive, founded in 1989 and at a time of their first singles were more highly praised, with their albums, unfortunately, in a phase in which the British music press had already dealt with more grunge and Britpop. Interest in further Shoegazekapelle, which also very little value on attitude and directness presented was, barely - in addition to infamous quote from Nicky Wire themselves in NME and Melody Maker are many colorful bad reviews (Dave Simpson to Souvlaki : "I would rather drown choking in a bath full of porridge than ever listen to it again ").
Only in retrospect became the band dissolved in 1995 a certain status, especially in electronic oriented musicians (remember was on the Morr Music released, but unfortunately only nice place good Slowdive Tribute Compilation ). For what sets them apart from comparable groups, is produced by the massive editing and estrangement of the guitars flowing soundscape that relies less on riffs than on the overlapping of areas. This Slowdive sound even in their loudest and dissonant moments caught and suspended, for example, " Albatross " from the " Holding Our Breath " EP, and is thus the similar quasi-ambient early Seefeel very close . More than this (also great) post-rave group was Slowdive are still at the songwriting to the center. After a bit immature in this regard debut "Just for a Day " (1991) and some EPs followed, therefore, with " Souvlaki " a collection of ten dramatic and distant songs that have it actually hit qualities, especially, of course, "Alison " and "When The Sun Hits . Due to the above time difference in mind the UK and most massive problems with the American label there, but no chart success. " Souvlaki" is of course still a great album, which in part with the highly revered by the band was included Brian Eno and contains "Souvlaki Space Station " an unusually Dub-heavy track, who might well (published also in 1993) by Seefels debut album "Quique " come. This piece has already indicated the direction in which the band would develop further.
because the balance between song and track is on the last album, Pygmalion "shifted more in favor of sound experiments. Already on the "5-EP " Slowdive had begun to bring their growing interest in electronic dance music in their music. Well as a defiant response to Creation label boss Alan McGee's claim, but finally to deliver a chart hit, the band now constructed from even more distorted vocals and guitar loops an elegiac album with very associative, between 1 and 10 minutes long tracks that create it to sound simultaneously strange and familiar tremendously. leached from the lavish production and the lack of success the band split after this masterpiece, however.
Founded after a short time by the three-Slowdive members Neil Halstead, Rachel Goswell and Ian McCutcheon quasi-sequel, Mojave 3 is still active, but moved into more conventional 60s pop and folk realms. But Slowdive influence away from the bands is the most explicit reference to Shoegaze especially when many of the more melancholy post-rock and electronica musicians in recent years (Pan American, Labradford, ...) obviously.